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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Scripture Index

  • Trust God

    Trust God

    A bend in the trail - what's around the bend

    There are times in life when it feels like you can’t see what’s coming around the next bend. It can be unnerving or even immobilizing. It makes it hard to trust God.

    We do our best to take control of whatever is coming, but the reality is that we aren’t in control of anything, except our choices, and there are usually a limited number of options. That can be a terrifying or liberating truth.

    Knowing we aren’t in control often drives people to one of two places. There are control freaks who try to manage every detail, and the less control they have, the more they fight and suffer. Then there are the fatalists who think it’s going to happen anyway, so “why bother trying?

    We need to trust the ultimate source of control is God himself, the creator and sustainer of the world.  I find it freeing to know that while I can’t control every situation, the one who loves me controls my ultimate destination.

    Faith in Him carries weight and freedom.

    He lights the way. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

    Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

    He also said, “…If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

    He controls the past, present, and future. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. He gives every believer the Spirit. He loves us beyond measure.

    We have the Word, the church, and the testimony of those who have gone before us to strengthen us when we are worried about the road ahead.

    When the way seems dark or uncertain, the Bible offers this simple advice, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

    When the road seems lost in mist, and you feel like you have no control, trust the one who sees all, knows all, and controls the future.

    The road is not guaranteed to be smooth or without pain; in fact, it will be hard and rocky, but the guide is perfect and the destination assured.

    Hold fast to the guide, dear friends, and let Him lead you

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Standing Alone – Strength and Hope in Hard Times
    Tribulation Produces Perseverance
  • God’s Protection – a woodstove story

    God’s Protection – a woodstove story

    image of a wood stiove

    I was editing my children’s book series and researching woodstoves when I recalled something from years ago.

    My parents moved to a farm not long after I left high school. Technically, it was more of a homestead: 160 acres, mostly cleared, a 1950’s mobile home with no indoor plumbing and heated entirely by an old wood stove in the living room. It was a dream come true for Dad; I’m sure Mom went because it was Dad’s dream.

    I’d often travel up for a few days to give them a break and let them get away. One very cold winter evening, I arrived after they had already left. Not being experienced with wood stove hearths, I quickly got a fire going.

    When it didn’t warm things up fast enough for me, the less-than-genius part of me stoked it even fuller. As soon as it burned down a little, I rammed it full again. Before long, it wasn’t warm; it was so hot that I was genuinely afraid the place was going to catch on fire. 

    I panicked. I filled a bucket with ice-cold water, opened the door, and threw it into the firebox. That dampened the fire but filled the house with smoke and steam. The stove made some awful groaning noises.

    It was then that I realized the folly of throwing cold water on a near-glowing cast-iron woodstove. Fortunately, nothing broke, and while the fire risk was contained, I had to clean up, air out, and restart the process. All the while, I had the image of the stove cracking when I threw in the water, and the fire spreading everywhere.

    I wasn’t yet a follower of Christ, yet God had his hand of protection over me.  Perhaps I wasn’t in danger at all, that time, yet I know of many times His hand protected me.

    I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
        where does my help come from?
    My help comes from the Lord,
        the Maker of heaven and earth.

    He will not let your foot slip—
        he who watches over you will not slumber;
    indeed, he who watches over Israel
        will neither slumber nor sleep.

    The Lord watches over you—
        the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
    the sun will not harm you by day,
        nor the moon by night.

    The Lord will keep you from all harm—
        he will watch over your life;
    The Lord will watch over your coming and going
        both now and forevermore. Psalm 121 ESv

    His hand is on us. I know it was on me that day.

    I often wonder if we will see all the places His hand was on us, after we get to glory. I suspect the number of times will boggle our minds. Whether we ever know that or not, He is worthy of praise.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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